The uvs/ dataset contains all data collected using Pristine Seas’ SCUBA-based underwater visual survey (UVS) protocols. These methods assess reef fish, benthic cover, mobile invertebrates, and coral recruits at spatially co-located sites using a standardized, depth-stratified design.
Each UVS site typically includes multiple stations across depth strata, with several survey protocols conducted in parallel.
The dataset structure balances:
Protocol modularity: each sub-method (BLT, LPI, inverts, recruits) has dedicated tables
Spatial consistency: shared sites and stations tables ensure alignment across protocols
This architecture enables both focused analyses (e.g., fish biomass by depth) and integrated reef assessments across taxa and trophic levels.
uvs/
├── sites # Deployment-level metadata for each UVS dive
├── stations # Depth-stratified sampling units within each site
├── blt_stations # Fish transect metadata (BLT)
├── blt_observations # Raw fish counts
├── blt_biomass_by_taxa # Station-level biomass summaries
├── lpi_stations # Benthic transect metadata
├── lpi_counts # Raw point-intercept records
├── lpi_cover_by_taxa # Percent cover summaries
├── inverts_stations # Invertebrate transect metadata
├── inverts_counts # Raw invertebrate observations
├── recruits_stations # Coral recruit transect metadata
├── recruits_counts # Raw coral recruit counts
uvs.sites
This table stores site-level metadata for all UVS dives. Each row represents a unique SCUBA deployment where one or more survey protocols (e.g., fish, benthic, invertebrates) were conducted.
It inherits all core fields fromexpeditions.sites (e.g., site ID, coordinates, date), and adds UVS-specific fields that describe habitat type, exposure, protection status, and the survey methods deployed at the site (Table 1).
Table 1: Additional fields in the uvs.sites table, beyond the core site schema.
Field
Type
Required
Description
site_name
STRING
false
Local site name used in previous surveys or by local partners.
habitat
STRING
true
Dominant habitat type (e.g., fore reef, patch reef, fringing reef).
exposure
STRING
true
Wave and wind exposure (e.g., windward, leeward, lagoon).
in_mpa
BOOLEAN
false
TRUE if the site is located inside a marine protected area.
blt
BOOLEAN
false
TRUE if fish belt transects were conducted at this site.
lpi
BOOLEAN
false
TRUE if benthic point intercept surveys were conducted.
inverts
BOOLEAN
false
TRUE if invertebrate surveys were conducted.
recruits
BOOLEAN
false
TRUE if coral recruit transects were conducted.
ysi
BOOLEAN
false
TRUE if YSI environmental profiles were collected.
photomosaic
BOOLEAN
false
TRUE if a photomosaic survey was conducted.
edna
BOOLEAN
false
TRUE if eDNA samples were collected at the site.
Controlled vocabulary
habitat
fore reef — Outer reef slope exposed to ocean swell.
back reef — Sheltered zone behind the reef crest
fringing reef — Reef growing directly from the shoreline
patch reef — Isolated reef outcrop within a lagoon or sandy area
reef flat — Shallow, flat reef section, often exposed at low tide
channel — Natural break or passage between reef structures
seagrass — Vegetated, soft-bottom habitat dominated by seagrasses
rocky reef — Reef formed by consolidated rock
other — Habitat not captured by the above categories
exposure
windward — Facing prevailing winds and swell
leeward — Sheltered from prevailing winds
lagoon — Within an enclosed or semi-enclosed reef lagoon